E- Government: Two Steps Forward, One Step Backwards?
IV. MBA Students’ Perceptions of Librarians and Libraries: A Case Study
IV. MBA Students’ Perceptions of Librarians and
The survey consisted of 23 questions divided into four parts. Part 1 consisted of seven questions about information seeking behaviors and perceptions about information seeking using a seven-point Likert scale.
Part 2 consisted of eight questions about information seeking and information needs. Part 3 consisted of one open-ended questions about ways in which librarians have assisted or could assist in business research. Part 4 consisted of six multiple choice questions relating to demographics and logistics as well as one final open-ended question. Only those questions relating to users perspectives of the role of the librarian and the library will be discussed here.
At the end of the survey period, 243 usable responses were received out of the possible 1163, giving a response rate of 21%. The number of responses from fulltime (112) and part-time (118) students were not entirely representative of the actual enrollment at the time with a higher response from the part-time students. More than half of the respondents (57%) were first year students. While a limitation to the study is the low response rate, the data are considered to represent general patterns of information seeking; in the worst case scenario, one would assume that all non-respondents are non- library users and that this sample represents a higher percentage of library users and of potential library users than is actually the case.
Although consultation with a librarian was higher than expected, findings indicate that this group of business school students is like other user groups in that consultation with librarians is relatively low. The survey was designed to solicit responses to this question in two ways. While 40% of the respondents agreed or strongly agreed that they have consulted a librarian at UMD or elsewhere when conducting business research, only 20% of the respondents indicated that they are likely to seek assistance from a librarian in general when conducting business research. Only 15% of the respondents indicated that they tend to visit a library in person when conducting business research.
The survey sought to understand the role of different sources used when conducting business research projects. Respondents were asked how they would most likely begin the business research process, restricting responses to those who indicated they would consult a librarian when conducting business research.Table IVsummarizes the results.
To delve deeper into the perception of librarians held by business school students, the role of librarian in the overall research process was explored.
Sixteen individuals, 17% of those respondents who have not consulted a librarian for business research (n¼95), indicated that they would consider consulting a librarian. This means that 7% of the total respondents (n¼243) fall into the category of potential users of an intermediated service.
Respondents were asked about the type of assistance that they would like to receive from librarians. Responses included the following:
† 78% (n¼157) of the respondents would ask for assistance in selecting resources;
† 78% (n¼157) of the respondents would ask for assistance using a database available through the library;
† 61% (n¼157) of the respondents would ask for assistance in developing a search strategy;
† 53% (n¼241) of the respondents agreed or strongly agreed that they would use a Web site created by librarians.
Interestingly, more than half of the respondents (55%, n¼157) indicated that they would prefer to learn how to find the information for themselves when consulting a librarian. This finding reflects the self-help trend discussed earlier in the chapter. Yet, 22% of the respondents would prefer to receive an answer to the question posed, supporting the notion that there are multiple patterns to information seeking, even within a relatively homogeneous group.
A related matter is the preferred means of communicating with librarians for those respondents who would communicate with a librarian. In general, 41% of respondents (n¼241) agreed or strongly agreed that they would definitely consult a librarian via a virtual reference desk.Table V, which is limited to those respondents who have or would consider consulting a librarian (n¼160), shows respondents’ reactions to different methods of communicating with librarians. While all means of contact might be used, more than half of the respondents indicated that they might use two means of communication with a librarian: the virtual reference desk and e-mail. Only 7% would prefer to talk with a librarian at the UMD Library and 13% would Table IV
Sources Most Likely Consulted when Beginning Business Research
Source Percentage (n¼160)
Web using a search engine 69
Virtual Business Information Center (VBIC)a 17 Favorite database available through subscription 10
Librarian 3
Other 1
a VBIC is a tool developed by a team from the College of Information Studies, the UMD Libraries, and RHS.
prefer to talk in person with a librarian at the business school. These results are not surprising. The preference for electronic communication seems to fit with the overall trends in electronic communication in general and among business school students. However, to serve the broadest range of business school students, librarians would have to be available from all communication channels to some extent.
The survey also sought feedback on the level of interest in workshops conducted by librarians. Approximately 70% of the respondents (n¼241) indicated an interest in workshops related directly to course assignments;
64% of the respondents indicated an interest in workshops on specific business topics; 61% indicated an interest in workshops that focus on specific databases.